According to South Australia Police, bikes, skateboards and scooters are high on a thief’s most wanted list. They are easy to nick and easy to resell. Often a thief will simply walk up and take what they want. Let’s make life harder for criminals by better securing our peddle-and-push possessions. Below are loads of bike security tips – and most also apply to skateboards and scooters.
Always lock up your bike – and we mean always!
It only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal an unlocked bike. Even if you are home, store your bike safely in a locked shed or inside your house.
Purchase a lock made of hardened steel. A good option is a ‘U’ lock or ‘D’ lock, which is very solid and hard to break. Make sure the lock is big enough to secure both the frame and the wheel to a fixed object.
Avoid locks made of soft metals or with plastic components that are easy to break. Cable locks with flexible chains enclosed in plastic or vinyl are also usually less secure.
There are locks available with a variety of security features, depending on how much you want to spend. For example, some locks have tamper alarms and others have a GPS function to make them easier to locate if stolen. Do not attempt to retrieve the bike yourself if you track its location. See Report your stolen bike ASAP for more information.
Making your bike look difficult to steal is a great strategy. Use two strong locks - a D-lock that secures the frame and one of the wheels to a fixed object, plus a heavy-duty chain that secures the other wheel to the first lock.
It is just as risky to park your bike in a secluded area during the day as it is at night. And CCTV is no deterrent to a greedy crook. So, if you must leave your bike, make sure you lock it up in a busy public area where people are more likely to spot suspicious activity such as someone cutting or breaking your bike lock.
Thieves will steal any bike if it’s easy for them.
If you return to your bike and the tyres are flat, that is suspicious. Don’t leave your bike to collect later. A thief could have let the air out to give them extra time to take your bike.
Once you have secured your bike, make sure you take accessories such as your helmet, lights and pump with you. These can be expensive items to replace if they are stolen.
Engrave your bike frame or mark it with an ultraviolet (UV) pen with your driver’s licence number (near the serial number). Put a letter ‘S’ for ‘South Australia’ before the number (e.g. S123456). If you don’t have a driver’s licence, you can use your mobile number. There are also adhesive microdots available that have an individualised tiny, almost invisible code printed on them. Also mark your bike accessories such as your helmet, lights, pump and saddle. Marking your bike and accessories in a unique way will help to return the items to you if they are recovered. It can also help with insurance claims.
Your bike’s serial number is another unique code to help you identify your bike if it is recovered. Write it down and store it somewhere safe as it can also assist with insurance claims.
Having photos of your bike and accessories can assist with identification and insurance claims. Make sure you photograph any distinguishing features such as stickers or modifications.
When a bike is stolen, it’s helpful to have as much information about it as possible. A bike passport is a great place to collate all this information. Download the passport and complete it today.
If the privacy setting is open on your GPS or fitness tracker, thieves can look at your regular cycling commutes and lock-up locations. Check your settings and make sure they are secure.
If your bike is stolen, report it as soon as possible by phoning 131 444. The sooner police are notified of the theft, the higher the chance they can track the bike before it's moved, sold, or dismantled. Visit the South Australia Police website for more information on making a police report. Early reporting is also important if you need to make an insurance claim.